Tag: dental health

How Flossing Can Save Your Money…

It’s a known fact that about 35% of the tooth surface is missed being cleaned if you’re not flossing. As a direct result of that, you have a better chance of developing cavities.

Cavities, left untreated, can become even more dangerous to your mouth. They can eventually need more work done on them, such as a root canals, replacement crowns or worse, pulled!

Obviously, these extra trips to the dental office and the additional work that will need done takes money out of your pocket.

It just makes sense that if there is a way to prevent these higher costs from needing done, why would you not do it?

A report published in 2005, by the Children’s Dental Health Project (CDHP) showed that children who had their first dental checkup before the age of one, that by their fifth birthday, some of them had dental care costs 40% lower than their peers! It also showed that in areas where the emergency room is used instead of regular dentist visits; some dental care costs could be as much as ten times higher!

So how can you save money by flossing? Simple – teach your kids to brush and floss regularly and properly. You can prevent substantial dental issues from arising in the future. In fact, a toothbrush and some dental floss are probably the cheapest tools you’ll find to preventing your kids from repeat emergency dental procedures in the future!

This is also great advice for the adults in your family too!

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? Getting Started with Your Child’s Oral Health, A Parent’s Guide, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

If you’re like most dental patients, you might think brushing by itself does a good job when trying to ward off cavities. Certainly, brushing twice a day is extremely important when it comes to good oral hygiene. But, the problem is, you’re not reaching the cavity causing bacteria if all you do is brush. The fact is, you miss cleaning 35% of your tooth surfaces if you aren’t flossing.

Sure, you know a toothbrush gently removes the plaque from your teeth through the use of toothpaste and fluoride. But the toothbrush bristles can’t reach where most of the plaque likes to hide. – in between your teeth and under the gums! This is exactly why flossing is such a big deal.

Dental Floss IS a Big Deal!

Flossing is necessary to maintain a healthy smile

If you’re flossing properly then you’re reaching those tight cracks and spaces in between your teeth and under your gums. These are the areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Plus, with less between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can reach in there and do more to protect what was previously blocked by plaque.

If you’re not sure how to floss properly, any dental hygienist or dentist should be able to give you instructions on the proper way to floss. If they can’t…you should find a new dentist!

It just can’t be stressed enough how important flossing is to the overall health of your mouth.

Many people know that China has a booming population. Over 1.35 BILLION people! That’s a LOT of mouths to take care of. However, a lot of Chinese people put off dental care due to fear, expense, or they just don’t see the need until their teeth become an emergency. Sound familiar?

At any rate, several decades ago the Chinese Government declared September 20th to be “Love Your Teeth Day”. On this particular day, dentists supply their communities with information about good oral hygiene and encourage them to make an appointment to have their teeth professionally cleaned.

The good news is that it’s working. On that special day, great strides have been made towards getting more people in the door of their local dentists to have their teeth cleaned and examined for other issues.

What’s even better is, because we live in Canada, you don’t even have to wait for “Love Your Teeth Day” to get the dental care your teeth need. You can see your dentist anytime you like!

There are a variety of treatment options beyond simple cavity removal in order to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of!

Full cosmetic consultation for difficult situations, restoring smiling and chewing to how they should be

Little Smiles Programteaches your little ones the value of a lifetime of good oral hygiene in a fun, encouraging atmosphere.

Invisalign and Orthodontics of all current orthodontic treatment options, from traditional braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign®.

Regardless of what excites you the most about taking good care of your mouth and teeth, you can call and make an appointment at any time to get it done. No waiting until September 20th here!

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? The Smart Patient’s Guide to Wisdom Teeth, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

In a previous blog, the topic of what serious dental risks people with diabetes face was addressed.

It was stated that those with diabetes can suffer an increase in having cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

But the good news is, there are 4 important steps you can take, if you have diabetes, to ensure that cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis aren’t something you’ll have to worry as much about.

Control your blood sugar levels.

Make sure you’re following your doctor’s orders and limiting your intake as necessary. When you are tested for your levels (every 3 months) be sure to inform your dentist of the results. It’s important for your dentist to know these numbers too.

Brush and floss

Brush and floss your teeth!

As mentioned in the previous blog, this is the first line of defense against having problems develop as a result of diabetes. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Make sure you’re removing the plaque build-up that can lead to it turning in to tarter which then causes the other issues previously discussed.

Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

You may also consider an electric toothbrush. But the head still needs to be changed on a regular basis. If you have trouble using just the floss, try using a floss holder.

See your dentist regularly.

Let your dentist know you have diabetes each time you visit. It may be helpful to also share your doctor’s contact information with your dentist as well. Keep your professional cleaning and checkup appointments so they can track any signs of gum disease early. You can also help by letting the dentist know if you see any signs of redness, irritation, or bleeding gums too.

Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2, diabetes is something that can be controlled. And while it will take a lifetime of attention, the result is you’ll feel the best you can and your teeth and gums will be in good shape too!

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? The Smart Patient’s Guide to Wisdom Teeth, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

According to the Clinical Affairs Committee, almost half of all children have cavities before they enter kindergarten. In fact, the #1 disease afflicting kids today IS tooth decay. The best way to keep your child from being one of those statistics? Teaching good, consistent oral hygiene habits. How do I teach my kids to brush their teeth is a common question that comes off.

You’re probably aware baby teeth act as placeholders for your permanent teeth. Therefore, it’s important that these placeholders are strong and create a good foundation for permanent teeth when the time comes.

In fact, you can begin instilling good ‘tooth brushing’ habits before your child’s baby teeth begin to appear. Gently wipe their gums with a wet cloth (something soft) or an infant-sized toothbrush wet with water. No teeth? No toothpaste!

As odd as this sounds, most dentists like to see your child before their first birthday (earlier, if their first tooth breaks the surface). As soon as you see that first tooth, it’s time to start developing good brushing habits!

How do I teach my child to brush their teeth?

But toothpaste should not be used until your child can spit the toothpaste out on their own. You’ll probably need to continue to brush for them until they’re 2-3 years old, but they’ll need supervision until at least 6-8 years old.

If you have a toddler who needs help learning to brush, it’s best to brush their teeth for them first, then ask them to mimic what you’ve done.

Simply place them on your lap, facing away from you. Get a toddler-sized toothbrush which is typically softer and has a smaller head. If you child can spit, you can then place a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush. Just a little bit will do the job.

Other tips for helping your child learn good oral hygiene:

Tell your child what you’re doing before you do it. Surprises are great at birthdays and Christmas, but NOT when you’re putting something ‘yucky and foreign’ into their mouths.

Make sure you keep the toothbrush angled at 45 degrees to the gum line in order to ensure you reach where plaque tends to accumulate.

Make sure you schedule time with your dentist to encourage good oral hygiene and a love of going to the dentist.

In addition to this topic, we’re pleased to offer a FREE report that provides information vital to you and your child forming good dental habits. Why not get your copy now? Patient’s Guide To Sedation For Dentistry, is just a click away. And it’s absolutely FREE.

Also, for more information, make an appointment, or have a question answered, you’re more than welcome to call us at West Airdrie Dental at 587 317 7713 or click here to visit our website.

An earlier blog revealed how gum disease in pregnant women and hormone levels can increase the likelihood of inflamed or bleeding gums. Further, a connection between low birth weight or premature birth and gum disease has been found through research.

Premature babies have a higher risk of poor health conditions. These can include bad eyesight and hearing, or even cerebral palsy. In fact, some estimates show that 18% of premature births may be the result of chronic gum infection (periodontal disease).

But not to fear – there are things you can begin to do even before you become pregnant in order to decrease the risk of premature birth for your baby as a result of gum disease!

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, there are some things you should do and others to consider

Be sure you’re brushing twice a day with a toothpaste that has fluoride.

Floss regularly

Make sure you see your dentist for all of your cleanings as well.

If you have plans to have any elective procedures done, be sure you do them before you begin trying to become pregnant. Once a pregnancy is confirmed, typically dentists don’t like to do procedures that aren’t an emergency.

There are some non-emergency procedures that can still be done after the first trimester and your dentist can make those recommendations.

Once you become pregnant, it’s important that you let your dentist know as soon as you find out. It’s vital that your dentist is made aware of any nutritional supplements, prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Because of your pregnancy, there may now be a need to re-evaluate the procedures being considered, or discuss any options regarding anesthesia, x-rays, and other relevant information.

No one likes to hear the word “cancer”. Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, can be especially devastating because the surgeries, radiation/chemotherapy, and other forms of treatment are typically visible on the face and neck.

Oral cancer can be fatal. According to American Cancer Society statistics, more than 36,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2010, and almost 8,000 deaths were directly attributed to mouth cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) estimates that more than $3 billion is spent annually in the United States to treat head and neck cancers.

Think about how much goes into, or comes out of, your mouth on a daily basis. Every single nutrient we derive from food/drink, our supplements and vitamins, any medication, and yes…tobacco, alcohol, anything else we ingest that we know we shouldn’t. Your mouth is responsible for delivering anything it touches to the rest of your body, which is why oral cancer needs to be diagnosed quickly as it can spread quickly.

There are some risks that should be considered:

Tobacco. Did you know that 90% of all oral cancer cases can be contributed to tobacco use in some form or another (according to the American Cancer Society)? This includes all varieties – cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.

Age and Gender. It’s been discovered that men are 2x as likely as women to develop oral cancer, especially once they turn age 35. In fact, the American Cancer Society shows that half of all mouth cancer patients are age 62 and above.

Other risk factors include: frequent and prolonged sun exposure, poor eating habits, HPV (human papilloma virus), and a family history of cancer.

What are some early signs of mouth cancer?

According to CancerCenter.com, the warning signs of oral cancer are:

Persistent mouth sore: A sore in the mouth that does not heal is the most common symptom of oral cancer

Pain: Persistent mouth pain is another common oral cancer sign

A lump or thickening in the cheek

A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth

A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away

Difficulty swallowing or chewing

Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

Numbness of the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth

Jaw swelling that makes dentures hurt or fit poorly

Loosening of the teeth

Pain in the teeth or jaw

Voice changes

A lump in the neck

Weight loss

Persistent bad breath

If you or anyone you love has notice any of these signs, click here or call West Airdrie today at 587-317-7713 (New Patients) or 403-980-0404 (Existing Patients) and let us know. Time is of the essence.

Did you know that you miss cleaning 35% of your tooth surfaces if you aren’t flossing?

Many patients believe that regular brushing alone will give them a good report with the hygienist at their next appointment. And yes, brushing twice a day is a very important step in good oral hygiene, you’re really not reaching a lot of the cavity-causing bacteria if you rely on brushing alone.

We all know how a toothbrush works – it gently removes the plaque from your teeth through the use of toothpaste and fluoride. But the toothbrush bristles miss most of where plaque likes to hide most – in between your teeth and under the gums!

Dental Floss to the Rescue!

Dental floss reaches the tight cracks in between your teeth and under your gums to reach the areas that the bristles of your toothbrush can’t reach. Plus, with less between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can do more of the heavy lifting in your mouth by reaching areas previously blocked by plaque.

We found a great video from Colgate that demonstrates how to floss and thought you’d enjoy seeing it as well:

If you’ve got any questions regarding proper flossing technique, give us a call at 587-317-7713 (New Patients) or 403-980-0404 (Existing Patients) or click here to ask away! We’re happy to answer all of your questions!

West Airdrie Dental Holds Hugely Successful Free Dental Day

As your local dental practice, West Airdrie Dental is committed to helping our community. During our recent Free Dental Day, we supported local families by offering free dental care to those unable to afford to see a dentist regularly and who do not qualify for social assistance. Our Free Dental Day was held on May 7th and was a huge success.

Restoring Dental Health for Local Families

Everyone attending had applied before the day which allowed us to see who we could help the most. Services provided included dental exams and cleanings and tooth removals. Our dental team had a great time meeting local residents and we were thrilled to be able to help so many people on the day.

Why We Urge People to Regularly See a Dentist

We know it isn’t always easy to find the time or the money to fit in regular dental visits but we also know that preventative dental care is always the most effective approach. Regularly seeing a dentist is the easiest way to ensure the earliest signs of disease are quickly treated, saving money while treatment will be shorter and less invasive. Our dental team is also aware that many people feel anxiety during dental visits which is why we frequently offer sedation dentistry for a more comfortable and relaxing experience in the dental chair.

Whether you simply need a check-up or think you have more extensive problems, our caring and compassionate dental team is here to help you. With our expert care, we can safely and comfortably restore your smile and your dental health.

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West Airdrie Dental is thrilled to be offering full dental services to our patients and community. We've missed you! If you had an appointment that was cancelled due to COVID-19 or are due for a dental check up or cleaning, please contact us right away to have your appointment booked.